How much do you know about British Columbia privacy laws? For small businesses, navigating these waters can be overwhelming. Some are familiar with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPP) which applies to more than 2,900 "public bodies" like ministries, local governments, healthcare, and more. Maybe you're aware of the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) which applies to any private sector and not-for-profit organization that collects, uses, and discloses the personal information of individuals in BC.

When it comes to applying these acronyms to our own small businesses, how do we know what we're supposed to be doing and who we're doing it for? The Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia is here to help.

About OIPC

The Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) provides independent oversight and enforcement of BC's access and privacy laws. It was established in 1993 and has a specific mandate with jurisdiction. They're your go-to when it comes to investigating, mediating, initiating, researching, and educating on all things provincial privacy - with a few exceptions. Banks, airlines, telecommunications companies, and the RCMP fall outside of the OIPC jurisdiction. OIPC also has an advisory board and operates within a framework of policies to help them close files faster and make use of their resources.

Essentials for your organization

There are some key pieces of information that OPIC wants to deliver, specifically educating organizations on their obligations under the act. Jan 30 is International Data Privacy Day and OPIC will be hosting a webinar on BC's Personal Information Protection Act with essentials for your organization. 

Topics will include:

  • Intro to OIPC and PIPA basics
  • What is personal information?
  • Privacy management program essentials
  • Developing privacy policies
  • Understanding consent
  • Limiting collection, use, and disclosure
  • Security considerations
  • Dealing with privacy breaches

Interested in learning more? This 1.5 hour webinar is packed full of valuable information for small businesses and is free to attend.

OIPC Data Privacy Day Webinar: BC's PIPA Essentials

Tues, Jan 30 @ 10:00am

Register you and/or your team today.